Author’s Bio: A retired newspaper editor, J. R. Lindermuth is the author of 15
novels, including seven in his Sticks Hetrick crime series, and a non-fiction
regional history. Since retirement, he has been librarian of his county
historical society, assisting patrons with genealogy and research. He is a
member of International Thriller Writers and a past vice president of the Short
Mystery Fiction Society.
What inspired you to write your book?
JRL: Shares is the seventh
book in the Sticks Hetrick crime series. Each has been inspired by a particular
type of crime and is set in a small fictional town near Harrisburg, PA. The
crimes are solved by Sticks, former police chief and now a county detective,
and his proteges. Officer Flora Vastine is the primary in this one. The actual
inspiration for Shares was a documentary on bird-watching. Though a series, the
books are structured so they can be read as stand-alones.
Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in any
way either growing up or as an adult?
JRL: I've been a reader since
a very early age and I'm sure I've been influenced to a degree by a number of
writers. But I wouldn't want to blame them for any good or bad habits that have
rubbed off on me over the years.
Some of my favorite
"classic" writers would include Alexander Dumas, Robert Louis
Stevenson, Emily Bronte and Edgar Allan Poe. Some favorite contemporary mystery
writers would include James Lee Burke, Ruth Rendell, Harlan Coben, Charles
Willeford and Georges Simenon.
Is this your first book? How long did it take to start and finish
your book?
JRL: Shares is my 15th
published novel. I've also published a non-fiction regional history. As to
time, that depends on the book. Some germinate in the mind for years, other
come quickly. I try to write every day, but don't set a word count target. I
prefer to progress steadily without setting particular demands. I find the work
goes easier that way.
Do you write with an outline, or just let it flow organically?
JRL: I'm a pantser. Usually I
know where I'm headed, but welcome some surprises along the way. Knowing too
much in advance would bore me. I do jot some notes to keep me on track; nothing
you could really call an outline.
Do you listen to music when you write? If yes, is there a theme
song for this book?
JRL: There's always music
playing in the background as I work; usually Symphony Hall on Sirius Radio and
the classics; sometimes folk music or the Blues. Depends on my mood. No theme
song for Shares The Darkness.
What are the keys to success in getting your book out to the
public?
JRL: It's important these days
you utilize all possible means of getting your name recognized. Book stores are
scarce on the homefront, so I seek library and other outlets for signings and
similar events and write a weekly newspaper column. I also maintain a heavy
footprint online. The best road to success remains word of mouth, but people
must know about you to pass the word.
What advice would you give to new authors?
JRL: As Stephen King and others have advised, read a lot and write a
lot.
How about sharing an excerpt from Shares The Darkness?
JRL: Here you are:
Chapter 1.
“She didn’t come home last night.”
Flora Vastine hesitated. She knew Mrs. Kepler as the type
of overly protective mother who wouldn’t take kindly to a suggestion her
daughter might be sleeping around. “Maybe she stayed with a friend,” Flora said
without specifying gender.
Mrs. Kepler shook her head. “She didn’t have an overnight
bag or even a toothbrush. Besides, I’m sure Jan would have told me if she was
going to do that.”
The woman had shown up just as Flora was preparing to leave
for her shift. Mrs. Kepler had come down the street in her nightgown and robe,
fuzzy slippers on her feet, sans makeup and without even having run a brush
through her sleep-knotted gray hair. Obviously she was distraught and Flora had
no choice but to invite her in. Besides, as a police officer she had a
responsibility to those who sought her assistance--no matter how tenuous the
situation might seem.
Flora’s father was still at the table, having a second cup
of coffee. He looked up in surprise as the two women entered the kitchen. “Jan
didn’t come home last night. Mrs. Kepler is worried,” Flora quickly explained.
“Oh,” her father said. “Of course you’re worried. What can
we do to help? Have a seat. Would you like some coffee, Sylvia?”
“No. Thank you, but no,” Mrs. Kepler said, sliding onto a
chair next to him. “My stomach is acidic enough. Coffee would definitely not
help.”
Sneaking a quick glance at the clock, Flora saw she was
going to be late. “Sorry,” she said, drawing out her mobile, “I’ve got to call
in.”
“Oh, I don’t want you to be late.”
“It’s okay. I just have to let them know.” She made her
call, told dispatch she was delayed and would explain on arrival.
Mrs. Kepler drew a hand across her face. “I hope I’m not
getting you in trouble, Flora.”
Flora leaned on a chair on the opposite side of the table.
“Not a problem. Do you know where Jan was going when she left the house
yesterday?” Jan Kepler was a high school biology teacher who still lived with
her widowed mother. When not working, she helped her friend Peg Peabody conduct
birding tours spring and fall. As far as Flora knew, neither woman had a
boyfriend.
“She had her binoculars and her bag. She didn’t say, but it
was obvious she was going birding.”
“With Miss Peabody?”
“No. I called Peg last night. She said she hadn’t seen Jan
since Tuesday.”
“Does she often go by herself?” Bill Vastine asked.
“Oh, yes. When she isn’t helping Peg she loves to go out
alone. She says it’s better that way. No crowds of people making noise and
scaring off the birds before you can find them.”
“Dangerous, isn’t it? What if she fell or something?”
“I’ve said the same thing myself. That’s why I got so
worried when she didn’t come home.”
Some other dangers came to mind for Flora, but she didn’t
mention them. The woman was agitated enough. “Did she have her phone?”
“Yes. At least I didn’t see it at the house.”
“Did she give any idea where she was going?”
“No. But probably out to the Preserve. That’s one of her
favorite places.”
“Did you say anything to Fred?” Officer Fred Drumheiser was
Mrs. Kepler’s next door neighbor and also her brother. While Flora had been a
police officer for several years now and proven herself on numerous occasions
some members of the Swatara Creek squad—most notably Fred Drumheiser—still
considered her a rookie.
“No. I thought of you first, dear, since you and Jan have
always been friends.”
Though they’d lived on the same street all their lives and
gone through school together, Flora had never considered Jan Kepler and herself
as friends. Acquaintances. But never friends.
What’s next for you?
JRL: I'm finishing up the next
in the Hetrick series and also working on another non-fiction book about my
railroading ancestors.
Where can readers find out more about you and your
book(s)?
- Website: http://www.jrlindermuth.net
- Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/author/jrlindermuth
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/john.lindermuth
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/jrlindermuth
- Blog: http://jrlindermuth.blogspot.com/\
- Book buy Links:
- In addition to Amazon and the publisher, Torrid/division of Whiskey Creek Press/Start Publishing, http://torridbooks.com/, my books are also available from: http://www.simonandschuster.com/search/books/_/N-/Ntt-lindermuth
- Barnes & Noble and from other fine bookstores.
Thanks for providing this opportunity, Dee.
ReplyDeleteHi J.R.! You are quite welcome! It was a pleasure interviewing you!
DeleteVery interesting. I've lived in two different states during the time I got involved in writing, the Central Valley of California and now the greater Nashville area of Tennessee. In both places (and at out of state writers conferences), I've met many authors who were either newspaper editors or reporters. The book sounds gripping.
ReplyDeleteHi Linda! Thanks for stopping by and showing J.R. some love!
DeleteThanks for commenting, Linda. In the newspaper offices where I worked the subject of writing a book 'someday' often came up. Many--but not all--do follow through with the dream. Some find the transition from journalism to fiction more difficult than they thought.
ReplyDelete